Method For Predicting Arc Flash Energy And PPE Category Within A Real-Time Monitoring System

ABSTRACT

Systems and methods for making real-time predictions about an arc flash event on an electrical system are disclosed. A virtual system model database is operable for providing a virtual system model for the electrical system and continuously update the virtual system model with real-time data from the electrical system. An analytics server comprises an arch flash simulation engine. The arch flash simulation engine is operable to modify the virtual system model to introduce a short-circuit feature to an uninterrupted power supply bypass circuit branch; choose a standard to supply equations used for arc flash event simulation and energy calculation; simulate an arc flash event utilizing the modified virtual system model; calculate a quantity of arc energy released by the arc flash event using results from the simulation; and communicate a report that forecasts an aspect of the arc flash event.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.14/829,335 filed Aug. 18, 2015, which is a continuation of U.S.application Ser. No. 14/496,862 filed Sep. 25, 2014, which is acontinuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 12/249,698 filed Oct. 10,2008, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.60/979,680 filed Oct. 12, 2007. U.S. application Ser. No. 12/249,698 isalso a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 11/771,681filed Jun. 29, 2007, which claims the benefit of both U.S. ProvisionalApplication No. 60/806,219 filed Jun. 29, 2006 and U.S. ProvisionalApplication No. 60/806,223 filed Jun. 29, 2006. Each of theseapplications is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to computer modeling andmanagement of systems and, more particularly, to computer simulationtechniques with real-time system monitoring and prediction of electricalsystem performance.

2. Background of the Invention

Computer models of complex systems enable improved system design,development, and implementation through techniques for off-linesimulation of the system operation. That is, system models can becreated that computers can “operate” in a virtual environment todetermine design parameters. All manner of systems can be modeled,designed, and operated in this way, including machinery, factories,electrical power and distribution systems, processing plants, devices,chemical processes, biological systems, and the like. Such simulationtechniques have resulted in reduced development costs and superioroperation.

Design and production processes have benefited greatly from suchcomputer simulation techniques, and such techniques are relatively welldeveloped, but such techniques have not been applied in real-time, e.g.,for real-time operational monitoring and management. In addition,predictive failure analysis techniques do not generally use real-timedata that reflect actual system operation. Greater efforts at real-timeoperational monitoring and management would provide more accurate andtimely suggestions for operational decisions, and such techniquesapplied to failure analysis would provide improved predictions of systemproblems before they occur. With such improved techniques, operationalcosts could be greatly reduced.

For example, mission critical electrical systems, e.g., for data centersor nuclear power facilities, must be designed to ensure that power isalways available. Thus, the systems must be as failure proof aspossible, and many layers of redundancy must be designed in to ensurethat there is always a backup in case of a failure. It will beunderstood that such systems are highly complex, a complexity made evengreater as a result of the required redundancy. Computer design andmodeling programs allow for the design of such systems by allowing adesigner to model the system and simulate its operation. Thus, thedesigner can ensure that the system will operate as intended before thefacility is constructed.

Once the facility is constructed, however, the design is typically onlyreferred to when there is a failure. In other words, once there isfailure, the system design is used to trace the failure and takecorrective action; however, because such design are so complex, andthere are many interdependencies, it can be extremely difficult and timeconsuming to track the failure and all its dependencies and then takecorrective action that doesn't result in other system disturbances.

Moreover, changing or upgrading the system can similarly be timeconsuming and expensive, requiring an expert to model the potentialchange, e.g., using the design and modeling program. Unfortunately,system interdependencies can be difficult to simulate, making even minorchanges risky.

For example, no reliable means exists for predicting in real-time thepotential energy released for an alternating current (AC) or directcurrent (DC) arc flash event is available. Moreover, no real-time systemexists that can predict the required personal protective equipment (PPE)or safe distance boundaries (i.e., protection boundaries) fortechnicians working around components of the electrical system that aresusceptible to arc flash events as required by NFPA 70E and IEEE1584.All current approaches are based on highly specialized staticsimulations models that are rigid and non-reflective of the facility'soperational status at the time that the technician is conducting therepairs on the electrical equipment. As such, the PPE level required forthe repair, or the safe distance boundaries around the equipment maychange based on the actual operational status of the facility and thealignment of the power distribution system at the time that the repairsare performed.

Conventional static arc flash simulation systems use a rigid simulationmodel that does not take the actual power system alignment and agingeffects into consideration when computing predictions about theoperational performance of an electrical system. These systems rely onexhaustive studies to be performed off-line by a power system engineerwho must manually modify a simulation model so that it is reflective ofthe proposed facility operation conditions before conducting the staticsimulation or the series of static simulations. Therefore, they cannotreadily adjust to the many daily changes to the electrical system thatoccur at a facility (e.g., motors and pumps may be put on-line or pulledoff-line, utility electrical feeds may have changed, etc.) noraccurately predict the various aspects (i.e., the quantity of energyreleased, the required level of worker PPE, the safe protectionboundaries around components of the electrical system, etc.) related toan arc flash event occurring on the electrical system.

Moreover, real-time arc flash simulations are typically performed bymanually modifying the simulation model of the electrical power systemsuch that the automatic transfer switch (ATS) of the bypass branch ofthe uninterrupted power supply (UPS) component is set to a bypassposition. After, arc flash analyses and/or simulations are performedusing the modified simulation model. One challenge with this approach isthat while the arc flash analysis and/or simulation is being performed,the simulation model is not identical to the system being modeled. Thearc flash analysis typically lasts for several seconds. If during thattime another analysis (e.g., power flow, etc.) needs to be performed,the simulation model will not be indicative of the true state of theelectrical power system (as it will have the ATS set to a bypassposition), resulting in misleading data to be generated from theanalyses and/or simulations performed using the modified simulationmodel.

SUMMARY

Methods for making real-time predictions about an arc flash event on anelectrical system are disclosed.

In one aspect, a method for simulating an arc flash event on anelectrical power system is disclosed. The virtual system model of theelectrical system is modified to introduce a short circuiting feature.The standard to supply equations used in the arc flash eventcalculations is chosen. The arc flash event is simulated using themodified virtual system model in accordance with the chosen standard.The quantity of arc energy released by the arc flash event is calculatedusing results from the simulation. The report that forecasts an aspectof the arc flash event is communicated.

These and other features, aspects, and embodiments of the invention aredescribed below in the section entitled “Detailed Description.”

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a more complete understanding of the principles disclosed herein,and the advantages thereof, reference is now made to the followingdescriptions taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, inwhich:

FIG. 1 is an illustration of a system for utilizing real-time data forpredictive analysis of the performance of a monitored system, inaccordance with one embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a detailed view of an analytics serverincluded in the system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating how the system of FIG. 1 operates tosynchronize the operating parameters between a physical facility and avirtual system model of the facility;

FIG. 4 is an illustration of the scalability of a system for utilizingreal-time data for predictive analysis of the performance of a monitoredsystem, in accordance with one embodiment;

FIG. 5 is a block diagram that shows the configuration details of thesystem illustrated in FIG. 1, in accordance with one embodiment;

FIG. 6 is an illustration of a flowchart describing a method forreal-time monitoring and predictive analysis of a monitored system, inaccordance with one embodiment;

FIG. 7 is an illustration of a flowchart describing a method formanaging real-time updates to a virtual system model of a monitoredsystem, in accordance with one embodiment;

FIG. 8 is an illustration of a flowchart describing a method forsynchronizing real-time system data with a virtual system model of amonitored system, in accordance with one embodiment;

FIG. 9 is a flow chart illustrating an example method for updating thevirtual model in accordance with one embodiment;

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example process for monitoring thestatus of protective devices in a monitored system and updating avirtual model based on monitored data;

FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating an example process for determiningthe protective capabilities of the protective devices being monitored;

FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example process for determining theprotective capabilities of a High Voltage Circuit Breaker (HVCB);

FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating an example process for determiningthe protective capabilities of the protective devices being monitored inaccordance with another embodiment;

FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating a process for evaluating the withstandcapabilities of a MVCB in accordance with one embodiment;

FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating how the Arc Flash Simulation Engineworks in conjunction with the other elements of the analytics system tomake predictions about various aspects of an arc flash event on anelectrical system, in accordance with one embodiment;

FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating an example process for predicting, inreal-time, various aspects associated with an AC or DC arc flashincident, in accordance with one embodiment;

FIG. 17 depicts a line diagram of the UPS component of an electricalpower system to illustrate one approach to simulating and analyzing anarc flash event using a virtual system model of an electrical powersystem;

FIG. 18 depicts an alternative and novel approach to simulate andanalyze an arc flash event using a virtual system model of an electricalpower system, in accordance with one embodiment;

FIG. 19 is an illustration of a flowchart describing a method for makingreal-time predictions about an arc flash event on an electrical system,in accordance with one embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

Methods for making real-time predictions about an arc flash event on anelectrical system are disclosed. It will be clear, however, that thepresent invention may be practiced without some or all of these specificdetails. In other instances, well known process operations have not beendescribed in detail in order not to unnecessarily obscure the presentinvention.In this document,

As used herein, a system denotes a set of components, real or abstract,comprising a whole where each component interacts with or is related toat least one other component within the whole. Examples of systemsinclude machinery, factories, electrical systems, processing plants,devices, chemical processes, biological systems, data centers, aircraftcarriers, and the like. An electrical system can designate a powergeneration and/or distribution system that is widely dispersed (i.e.,power generation, transformers, and/or electrical distributioncomponents distributed geographically throughout a large region) orbounded within a particular location (e.g., a power plant within aproduction facility, a bounded geographic area, on board a ship, etc.).

A network application is any application that is stored on anapplication server connected to a network (e.g., local area network,wide area network, etc.) in accordance with any contemporaryclient/server architecture model and can be accessed via the network. Inthis arrangement, the network application programming interface (API)resides on the application server separate from the client machine. Theclient interface would typically be a web browser (e.g. INTERNETEXPLORER™, FIREFOX™, NETSCAPE™, etc) that is in communication with thenetwork application server via a network connection (e.g., HTTP, HTTPS,RSS, etc.).

FIG. 1 is an illustration of a system for utilizing real-time data forpredictive analysis of the performance of a monitored system, inaccordance with one embodiment. As shown herein, the system 100 includesa series of sensors (i.e., Sensor A 104, Sensor B 106, Sensor C 108)interfaced with the various components of a monitored system 102, a dataacquisition hub 112, an analytics server 116, and a thin-client device128. In one embodiment, the monitored system 102 is an electrical powergeneration plant. In another embodiment, the monitored system 102 is anelectrical power transmission infrastructure. In still anotherembodiment, the monitored system 102 is an electrical power distributionsystem. In still another embodiment, the monitored system 102 includes acombination of one or more electrical power generation plant(s), powertransmission infrastructure(s), and/or an electrical power distributionsystem. It should be understood that the monitored system 102 can be anycombination of components whose operations can be monitored withconventional sensors and where each component interacts with or isrelated to at least one other component within the combination. For amonitored system 102 that is an electrical power generation,transmission, or distribution system, the sensors can provide data suchas voltage, frequency, current, power, power factor, and the like.

The sensors are configured to provide output values for systemparameters that indicate the operational status and/or “health” of themonitored system 102. For example, in an electrical power generationsystem, the current output or voltage readings for the variouscomponents that comprise the power generation system is indicative ofthe overall health and/or operational condition of the system. In oneembodiment, the sensors are configured to also measure additional datathat can affect system operation. For example, for an electrical powerdistribution system, the sensor output can include environmentalinformation, e.g., temperature, humidity, etc., which can impactelectrical power demand and can also affect the operation and efficiencyof the power distribution system itself.

Continuing with FIG. 1, in one embodiment, the sensors are configured tooutput data in an analog format. For example, electrical power sensormeasurements (e.g., voltage, current, etc.) are sometimes conveyed in ananalog format as the measurements may be continuous in both time andamplitude. In another embodiment, the sensors are configured to outputdata in a digital format. For example, the same electrical power sensormeasurements may be taken in discrete time increments that are notcontinuous in time or amplitude. In still another embodiment, thesensors are configured to output data in either an analog or digitalformat depending on the sampling requirements of the monitored system102.

The sensors can be configured to capture output data at split-secondintervals to effectuate “real time” data capture. For example, in oneembodiment, the sensors can be configured to generate hundreds ofthousands of data readings per second. It should be appreciated,however, that the number of data output readings taken by a sensor maybe set to any value as long as the operational limits of the sensor andthe data processing capabilities of the data acquisition hub 112 are notexceeded.

Still with FIG. 1, each sensor is communicatively connected to the dataacquisition hub 112 via an analog or digital data connection 110. Thedata acquisition hub 112 may be a standalone unit or integrated withinthe analytics server 116 and can be embodied as a piece of hardware,software, or some combination thereof. In one embodiment, the dataconnection 110 is a “hard wired” physical data connection (e.g., serial,network, etc.). For example, a serial or parallel cable connectionbetween the sensor and the hub 112. In another embodiment, the dataconnection 110 is a wireless data connection. For example, a radiofrequency (RF), BLUETOOTH™, infrared or equivalent connection betweenthe sensor and the hub 112.

The data acquisition hub 112 is configured to communicate “real-time”data from the monitored system 102 to the analytics server 116 using anetwork connection 114. In one embodiment, the network connection 114 isa “hardwired” physical connection. For example, the data acquisition hub112 may be communicatively connected (via Category 5 (CAT5), fiber opticor equivalent cabling) to a data server (not shown) that iscommunicatively connected (via CAT5, fiber optic or equivalent cabling)through the Internet and to the analytics server 116 server. Theanalytics server 116 being also communicatively connected with theInternet (via CAT5, fiber optic, or equivalent cabling). In anotherembodiment, the network connection 114 is a wireless network connection(e.g., Wi-Fi, WLAN, etc.). For example, utilizing an 802.11b/g orequivalent transmission format. In practice, the network connectionutilized is dependent upon the particular requirements of the monitoredsystem 102.

Data acquisition hub 112 can also be configured to supply warning andalarms signals as well as control signals to monitored system 102 and/orsensors 104, 106, and 108 as described in more detail below.

As shown in FIG. 1, in one embodiment, the analytics server 116 hosts ananalytics engine 118, virtual system modeling engine 124 and severaldatabases 126, 130, and 132. The virtual system modeling engine can,e.g., be a computer modeling system, such as described above. In thiscontext, however, the modeling engine can be used to precisely model andmirror the actual electrical system. Analytics engine 118 can beconfigured to generate predicted data for the monitored system andanalyze difference between the predicted data and the real-time datareceived from hub 112.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a more detailed view of analytic server116. As can be seen, analytic server 116 is interfaced with a monitoredfacility 102 via sensors 202, e.g., sensors 104, 106, and 108. Sensors202 are configured to supply real-time data from within monitoredfacility 102. The real-time data is communicated to analytic server 116via a hub 204. Hub 204 can be configure to provide real-time data toserver 116 as well as alarming, sensing and control featured forfacility 102.

The real-time data from hub 204 can be passed to a comparison engine210, which can form part of analytics engine 118. Comparison engine 210can be configured to continuously compare the real-time data withpredicted values generated by simulation engine 208. Based on thecomparison, comparison engine 210 can be further configured to determinewhether deviations between the real-time and the expected values exists,and if so to classify the deviation, e.g., high, marginal, low, etc. Thedeviation level can then be communicated to decision engine 212, whichcan also comprise part of analytics engine 118.

Decision engine 212 can be configured to look for significant deviationsbetween the predicted values and real-time values as received from thecomparison engine 210. If significant deviations are detected, decisionengine 212 can also be configured to determine whether an alarmcondition exists, activate the alarm and communicate the alarm toHuman-Machine Interface (HMI) 214 for display in real-time via, e.g.,thin client 128. Decision engine 212 can also be configured to performroot cause analysis for significant deviations in order to determine theinterdependencies and identify the parent-child failure relationshipsthat may be occurring. In this manner, parent alarm conditions are notdrowned out by multiple children alarm conditions, allowing theuser/operator to focus on the main problem, at least at first.

Thus, in one embodiment, and alarm condition for the parent can bedisplayed via HMI 214 along with an indication that processes andequipment dependent on the parent process or equipment are also in alarmcondition. This also means that server 116 can maintain a parent-childlogical relationship between processes and equipment comprising facility102. Further, the processes can be classified as critical, essential,non-essential, etc.

Decision engine 212 can also be configured to determine health andperformance levels and indicate these levels for the various processesand equipment via HMI 214. All of which, when combined with the analyticcapabilities of analytics engine 118 allows the operator to minimize therisk of catastrophic equipment failure by predicting future failures andproviding prompt, informative information concerning potential/predictedfailures before they occur. Avoiding catastrophic failures reduces riskand cost, and maximizes facility performance and up time.

Simulation engine 208 operates on complex logical models 206 of facility102. These models are continuously and automatically synchronized withthe actual facility status based on the real-time data provided by hub204. In other words, the models are updated based on current switchstatus, breaker status, e.g., open-closed, equipment on/off status, etc.Thus, the models are automatically updated based on such status, whichallows simulation engine to produce predicted data based on the currentfacility status. This in turn, allows accurate and meaningfulcomparisons of the real-time data to the predicted data.

Example models 206 that can be maintained and used by server 116 includepower flow models used to calculate expected kW, kVAR, power factorvalues, etc., short circuit models used to calculate maximum and minimumavailable fault currents, protection models used to determine properprotection schemes and ensure selective coordination of protectivedevices, power quality models used to determine voltage and currentdistortions at any point in the network, to name just a few. It will beunderstood that different models can be used depending on the systembeing modeled.

In certain embodiments, hub 204 is configured to supply equipmentidentification associated with the real-time data. This identificationcan be cross referenced with identifications provided in the models.

In one embodiment, if the comparison performed by comparison engine 210indicates that the differential between the real-time sensor outputvalue and the expected value exceeds a Defined Difference Tolerance(DDT) value (i.e., the “real-time” output values of the sensor output donot indicate an alarm condition) but below an alarm condition (i.e.,alarm threshold value), a calibration request is generated by theanalytics engine 118. If the differential exceeds, the alarm condition,an alarm or notification message is generated by the analytics engine118. If the differential is below the DTT value, the analytics enginedoes nothing and continues to monitor the real-time data and expecteddata.

In one embodiment, the alarm or notification message is sent directly tothe client (i.e., user) 128, e.g., via HMI 214, for display in real-timeon a web browser, pop-up message box, e-mail, or equivalent on theclient 128 display panel. In another embodiment, the alarm ornotification message is sent to a wireless mobile device (e.g.,BLACKBERRY™, laptop, pager, etc.) to be displayed for the user by way ofa wireless router or equivalent device interfaced with the analyticsserver 116. In still another embodiment, the alarm or notificationmessage is sent to both the client 128 display and the wireless mobiledevice. The alarm can be indicative of a need for a repair event ormaintenance to be done on the monitored system. It should be noted,however, that calibration requests should not be allowed if an alarmcondition exists to prevent the models form being calibrated to anabnormal state.

Once the calibration is generated by the analytics engine 118, thevarious operating parameters or conditions of model(s) 206 can beupdated or adjusted to reflect the actual facility configuration. Thiscan include, but is not limited to, modifying the predicted data outputfrom the simulation engine 208, adjusting the logic/processingparameters utilized by the model(s) 206, adding/subtracting functionalelements from model(s) 206, etc. It should be understood, that anyoperational parameter of models 206 can be modified as long as theresulting modifications can be processed and registered by simulationengine 208.

Referring back to FIG. 1, models 206 can be stored in the virtual systemmodel database 126. As noted, a variety of conventional virtual modelapplications can be used for creating a virtual system model, so that awide variety of systems and system parameters can be modeled. Forexample, in the context of an electrical power distribution system, thevirtual system model can include components for modeling reliability,modeling voltage stability, and modeling power flow. In addition, models206 can include dynamic control logic that permits a user to configurethe models 206 by specifying control algorithms and logic blocks inaddition to combinations and interconnections of generators, governors,relays, breakers, transmission line, and the like. The voltage stabilityparameters can indicate capacity in terms of size, supply, anddistribution, and can indicate availability in terms of remainingcapacity of the presently configured system. The power flow model canspecify voltage, frequency, and power factor, thus representing the“health” of the system.

All of models 206 can be referred to as a virtual system model. Thus,virtual system model database can be configured to store the virtualsystem model. A duplicate, but synchronized copy of the virtual systemmodel can be stored in a virtual simulation model database 130. Thisduplicate model can be used for what-if simulations. In other words,this model can be used to allow a system designer to make hypotheticalchanges to the facility and test the resulting effect, without takingdown the facility or costly and time consuming analysis. Suchhypothetical can be used to learn failure patterns and signatures aswell as to test proposed modifications, upgrades, additions, etc., forthe facility. The real-time data, as well as trending produced byanalytics engine 118 can be stored in a real-time data acquisitiondatabase 132.

As discussed above, the virtual system model is periodically calibratedand synchronized with “real-time” sensor data outputs so that thevirtual system model provides data output values that are consistentwith the actual “real-time” values received from the sensor outputsignals. Unlike conventional systems that use virtual system modelsprimarily for system design and implementation purposes (i.e., offlinesimulation and facility planning), the virtual system models describedherein are updated and calibrated with the real-time system operationaldata to provide better predictive output values. A divergence betweenthe real-time sensor output values and the predicted output valuesgenerate either an alarm condition for the values in question and/or acalibration request that is sent to the calibration engine 134.

Continuing with FIG. 1, the analytics engine 118 can be configured toimplement pattern/sequence recognition into a real-time decision loopthat, e.g., is enabled by a new type of machine learning calledassociative memory, or hierarchical temporal memory (HTM), which is abiological approach to learning and pattern recognition. Associativememory allows storage, discovery, and retrieval of learned associationsbetween extremely large numbers of attributes in real time. At a basiclevel, an associative memory stores information about how attributes andtheir respective features occur together. The predictive power of theassociative memory technology comes from its ability to interpret andanalyze these co-occurrences and to produce various metrics. Associativememory is built through “experiential” learning in which each newlyobserved state is accumulated in the associative memory as a basis forinterpreting future events. Thus, by observing normal system operationover time, and the normal predicted system operation over time, theassociative memory is able to learn normal patterns as a basis foridentifying non-normal behavior and appropriate responses, and toassociate patterns with particular outcomes, contexts or responses. Theanalytics engine 118 is also better able to understand component meantime to failure rates through observation and system availabilitycharacteristics. This technology in combination with the virtual systemmodel can be characterized as a “neocortical” model of the system undermanagement

This approach also presents a novel way to digest and comprehend alarmsin a manageable and coherent way. The neocortical model could assist inuncovering the patterns and sequencing of alarms to help pinpoint thelocation of the (impending) failure, its context, and even the cause.Typically, responding to the alarms is done manually by experts who havegained familiarity with the system through years of experience. However,at times, the amount of information is so great that an individualcannot respond fast enough or does not have the necessary expertise. An“intelligent” system like the neocortical system that observes andrecommends possible responses could improve the alarm management processby either supporting the existing operator, or even managing the systemautonomously.

Current simulation approaches for maintaining transient stabilityinvolve traditional numerical techniques and typically do not test allpossible scenarios. The problem is further complicated as the numbers ofcomponents and pathways increase. Through the application of theneocortical model, by observing simulations of circuits, and bycomparing them to actual system responses, it may be possible to improvethe simulation process, thereby improving the overall design of futurecircuits.

The virtual system model database 126, as well as databases 130 and 132,can be configured to store one or more virtual system models, virtualsimulation models, and real-time data values, each customized to aparticular system being monitored by the analytics server 118. Thus, theanalytics server 118 can be utilized to monitor more than one system ata time. As depicted herein, the databases 126, 130, and 132 can behosted on the analytics server 116 and communicatively interfaced withthe analytics engine 118. In other embodiments, databases 126, 130, and132 can be hosted on a separate database server (not shown) that iscommunicatively connected to the analytics server 116 in a manner thatallows the virtual system modeling engine 124 and analytics engine 118to access the databases as needed.

Therefore, in one embodiment, the client 128 can modify the virtualsystem model stored on the virtual system model database 126 by using avirtual system model development interface using well-known modelingtools that are separate from the other network interfaces. For example,dedicated software applications that run in conjunction with the networkinterface to allow a client 128 to create or modify the virtual systemmodels.

The client 128 may utilize a variety of network interfaces (e.g., webbrowser, CITRIX™, WINDOWS TERMINAL SERVICES™, telnet, or otherequivalent thin-client terminal applications, etc.) to access,configure, and modify the sensors (e.g., configuration files, etc.),analytics engine 118 (e.g., configuration files, analytics logic, etc.),calibration parameters (e.g., configuration files, calibrationparameters, etc.), virtual system modeling engine 124 (e.g.,configuration files, simulation parameters, etc.) and virtual systemmodel of the system under management (e.g., virtual system modeloperating parameters and configuration files). Correspondingly, datafrom those various components of the monitored system 102 can bedisplayed on a client 128 display panel for viewing by a systemadministrator or equivalent.

As described above, server 116 is configured to synchronize the physicalworld with the virtual and report, e.g., via visual, real-time display,deviations between the two as well as system health, alarm conditions,predicted failures, etc. This is illustrated with the aid of FIG. 3, inwhich the synchronization of the physical world (left side) and virtualworld (right side) is illustrated. In the physical world, sensors 202produce real-time data 302 for the processes 312 and equipment 314 thatmake up facility 102. In the virtual world, simulations 304 of thevirtual system model 206 provide predicted values 306, which arecorrelated and synchronized with the real-time data 302. The real-timedata can then be compared to the predicted values so that differences308 can be detected. The significance of these differences can bedetermined to determine the health status 310 of the system. The healthstats can then be communicated to the processes 312 and equipment 314,e.g., via alarms and indicators, as well as to thin client 128, e.g.,via web pages 316.

FIG. 4 is an illustration of the scalability of a system for utilizingreal-time data for predictive analysis of the performance of a monitoredsystem, in accordance with one embodiment. As depicted herein, ananalytics central server 422 is communicatively connected with analyticsserver A 414, analytics server B 416, and analytics server n 418 (i.e.,one or more other analytics servers) by way of one or more networkconnections 114. Each of the analytics servers is communicativelyconnected with a respective data acquisition hub (i.e., Hub A 408, Hub B410, Hub n 412) that communicates with one or more sensors that areinterfaced with a system (i.e., Monitored System A 402, Monitored SystemB 404, Monitored System n 406) that the respective analytical servermonitors. For example, analytics server A 414 is communicative connectedwith data acquisition hub A 408, which communicates with one or moresensors interfaced with monitored system A 402.

Each analytics server (i.e., analytics server A 414, analytics server B416, analytics server n 418) is configured to monitor the sensor outputdata of its corresponding monitored system and feed that data to thecentral analytics server 422. Additionally, each of the analyticsservers can function as a proxy agent of the central analytics server422 during the modifying and/or adjusting of the operating parameters ofthe system sensors they monitor. For example, analytics server B 416 isconfigured to be utilized as a proxy to modify the operating parametersof the sensors interfaced with monitored system B 404.

Moreover, the central analytics server 422, which is communicativelyconnected to one or more analytics server(s) can be used to enhance thescalability. For example, a central analytics server 422 can be used tomonitor multiple electrical power generation facilities (i.e., monitoredsystem A 402 can be a power generation facility located in city A whilemonitored system B 404 is a power generation facility located in city B)on an electrical power grid. In this example, the number of electricalpower generation facilities that can be monitored by central analyticsserver 422 is limited only by the data processing capacity of thecentral analytics server 422. The central analytics server 422 can beconfigured to enable a client 128 to modify and adjust the operationalparameters of any the analytics servers communicatively connected to thecentral analytics server 422. Furthermore, as discussed above, each ofthe analytics servers are configured to serve as proxies for the centralanalytics server 422 to enable a client 128 to modify and/or adjust theoperating parameters of the sensors interfaced with the systems thatthey respectively monitor. For example, the client 128 can use thecentral analytics server 422, and vice versa, to modify and/or adjustthe operating parameters of analytics server A 414 and utilize the sameto modify and/or adjust the operating parameters of the sensorsinterfaced with monitored system A 402. Additionally, each of theanalytics servers can be configured to allow a client 128 to modify thevirtual system model through a virtual system model developmentinterface using well-known modeling tools.

In one embodiment, the central analytics server 422 can function tomonitor and control a monitored system when its corresponding analyticsserver is out of operation. For example, central analytics server 422can take over the functionality of analytics server B 416 when theserver 416 is out of operation. That is, the central analytics server422 can monitor the data output from monitored system B 404 and modifyand/or adjust the operating parameters of the sensors that areinterfaced with the system 404.

In one embodiment, the network connection 114 is established through awide area network (WAN) such as the Internet. In another embodiment, thenetwork connection is established through a local area network (LAN)such as the company intranet. In a separate embodiment, the networkconnection 114 is a “hardwired” physical connection. For example, thedata acquisition hub 112 may be communicatively connected (via Category5 (CAT5), fiber optic or equivalent cabling) to a data server that iscommunicatively connected (via CAT5, fiber optic or equivalent cabling)through the Internet and to the analytics server 116 server hosting theanalytics engine 118. In another embodiment, the network connection 114is a wireless network connection (e.g., Wi-Fi, WLAN, etc.). For example,utilizing an 802.11b/g or equivalent transmission format.

In certain embodiments, regional analytics servers can be placed betweenlocal analytics servers 414, 416, . . . , 418 and central analyticsserver 422. Further, in certain embodiments a disaster recovery site canbe included at the central analytics server 422 level.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram that shows the configuration details ofanalytics server 116 illustrated in FIG. 1 in more detail. It should beunderstood that the configuration details in FIG. 5 are merely oneembodiment of the items described for FIG. 1, and it should beunderstood that alternate configurations and arrangements of componentscould also provide the functionality described herein.

The analytics server 116 includes a variety of components. In the FIG. 5embodiment, the analytics server 116 is implemented in a Web-basedconfiguration, so that the analytics server 116 includes (orcommunicates with) a secure web server 530 for communication with thesensor systems 519 (e.g., data acquisition units, metering devices,sensors, etc.) and external communication entities 534 (e.g., webbrowser, “thin client” applications, etc.). A variety of user views andfunctions 532 are available to the client 128 such as: alarm reports,Active X controls, equipment views, view editor tool, custom userinterface page, and XML parser. It should be appreciated, however, thatthese are just examples of a few in a long list of views and functions532 that the analytics server 116 can deliver to the externalcommunications entities 534 and are not meant to limit the types ofviews and functions 532 available to the analytics server 116 in anyway.

The analytics server 116 also includes an alarm engine 506 and messagingengine 504, for the aforementioned external communications. The alarmengine 506 is configured to work in conjunction with the messagingengine 504 to generate alarm or notification messages 502 (in the formof text messages, e-mails, paging, etc.) in response to the alarmconditions previously described. The analytics server 116 determinesalarm conditions based on output data it receives from the varioussensor systems 519 through a communications connection (e.g., wireless516, TCP/IP 518, Serial 520, etc) and simulated output data from avirtual system model 512, of the monitored system, processed by theanalytics engines 118. In one embodiment, the virtual system model 512is created by a user through interacting with an external communicationentity 534 by specifying the components that comprise the monitoredsystem and by specifying relationships between the components of themonitored system. In another embodiment, the virtual system model 512 isautomatically generated by the analytics engines 118 as components ofthe monitored system are brought online and interfaced with theanalytics server 508.

Continuing with FIG. 5, a virtual system model database 526 iscommunicatively connected with the analytics server 116 and isconfigured to store one or more virtual system models 512, each of whichrepresents a particular monitored system. For example, the analyticsserver 116 can conceivably monitor multiple electrical power generationsystems (e.g., system A, system B, system C, etc.) spread across a widegeographic area (e.g., City A, City B, City C, etc.). Therefore, theanalytics server 116 will utilize a different virtual system model 512for each of the electrical power generation systems that it monitors.Virtual simulation model database 538 can be configured to store asynchronized, duplicate copy of the virtual system model 512, andreal-time data acquisition database 540 can store the real-time andtrending data for the system(s) being monitored.

Thus, in operation, analytics server 116 can receive real-time data forvarious sensors, i.e., components, through data acquisition system 202.As can be seen, analytics server 116 can comprise various driversconfigured to interface with the various types of sensors, etc.,comprising data acquisition system 202. This data represents thereal-time operational data for the various components. For example, thedata may indicate that a certain component is operating at a certainvoltage level and drawing certain amount of current. This informationcan then be fed to a modeling engine to generate a virtual system model612 that is based on the actual real-time operational data.

Analytics engine 118 can be configured to compare predicted data basedon the virtual system model 512 with real-time data received from dataacquisition system 202 and to identify any differences. In someinstances, analytics engine can be configured to identify thesedifferences and then update, i.e., calibrate, the virtual system model512 for use in future comparisons. In this manner, more accuratecomparisons and warnings can be generated.

But in other instances, the differences will indicate a failure, or thepotential for a failure. For example, when a component begins to fail,the operating parameters will begin to change. This change may be suddenor it may be a progressive change over time. Analytics engine 118 candetect such changes and issue warnings that can allow the changes to bedetected before a failure occurs. The analytic engine 118 can beconfigured to generate warnings that can be communicated via interface532.

For example, a user can access information from server 116 using thinclient 534. For example, reports can be generate and served to thinclient 534 via server 540. These reports can, for example, compriseschematic or symbolic illustrations of the system being monitored.Status information for each component can be illustrated or communicatedfor each component. This information can be numerical, i.e., the voltageor current level. Or it can be symbolic, i.e., green for normal, red forfailure or warning. In certain embodiments, intermediate levels offailure can also be communicated, i.e., yellow can be used to indicateoperational conditions that project the potential for future failure. Itshould be noted that this information can be accessed in real-time.Moreover, via thin client 534, the information can be accessed formanywhere and anytime.

Continuing with FIG. 5, the Analytics Engine 118 is communicativelyinterfaced with a HTM Pattern Recognition and Machine Learning Engine551. The HTM Engine 551 is configured to work in conjunction with theAnalytics Engine 118 and a virtual system model of the monitored systemto make real-time predictions (i.e., forecasts) about variousoperational aspects of the monitored system. The HTM Engine 551 works byprocessing and storing patterns observed during the normal operation ofthe monitored system over time. These observations are provided in theform of real-time data captured using a multitude of sensors that areimbedded within the monitored system. In one embodiment, the virtualsystem model is also updated with the real-time data such that thevirtual system model “ages” along with the monitored system. Examples ofa monitored system includes machinery, factories, electrical systems,processing plants, devices, chemical processes, biological systems, datacenters, aircraft carriers, and the like. It should be understood thatthe monitored system can be any combination of components whoseoperations can be monitored with conventional sensors and where eachcomponent interacts with or is related to at least one other componentwithin the combination.

FIG. 6 is an illustration of a flowchart describing a method forreal-time monitoring and predictive analysis of a monitored system, inaccordance with one embodiment. Method 600 begins with operation 602where real-time data indicative of the monitored system status isprocessed to enable a virtual model of the monitored system undermanagement to be calibrated and synchronized with the real-time data. Inone embodiment, the monitored system 102 is a mission criticalelectrical power system. In another embodiment, the monitored system 102can include an electrical power transmission infrastructure. In stillanother embodiment, the monitored system 102 includes a combination ofthereof. It should be understood that the monitored system 102 can beany combination of components whose operations can be monitored withconventional sensors and where each component interacts with or isrelated to at least one other component within the combination.

Method 600 moves on to operation 604 where the virtual system model ofthe monitored system under management is updated in response to thereal-time data. This may include, but is not limited to, modifying thesimulated data output from the virtual system model, adjusting thelogic/processing parameters utilized by the virtual system modelingengine to simulate the operation of the monitored system,adding/subtracting functional elements of the virtual system model, etc.It should be understood, that any operational parameter of the virtualsystem modeling engine and/or the virtual system model may be modifiedby the calibration engine as long as the resulting modifications can beprocessed and registered by the virtual system modeling engine.

Method 600 proceeds on to operation 606 where the simulated real-timedata indicative of the monitored system status is compared with acorresponding virtual system model created at the design stage. Thedesign stage models, which may be calibrated and updated based onreal-time monitored data, are used as a basis for the predictedperformance of the system. The real-time monitored data can then providethe actual performance over time. By comparing the real-time time datawith the predicted performance information, difference can be identifieda tracked by, e.g., the analytics engine 118. Analytics engines 118 canthen track trends, determine alarm states, etc., and generate areal-time report of the system status in response to the comparison.

In other words, the analytics can be used to analyze the comparison andreal-time data and determine if there is a problem that should bereported and what level the problem may be, e.g., low priority, highpriority, critical, etc. The analytics can also be used to predictfuture failures and time to failure, etc. In one embodiment, reports canbe displayed on a conventional web browser (e.g. INTERNET EXPLORER™,FIREFOX™, NETSCAPE™, etc) that is rendered on a standard personalcomputing (PC) device. In another embodiment, the “real-time” report canbe rendered on a “thin-client” computing device (e.g., CITRIXTM, WINDOWSTERMINAL SERVICES™, telnet, or other equivalent thin-client terminalapplication). In still another embodiment, the report can be displayedon a wireless mobile device (e.g., BLACKBERRY™, laptop, pager, etc.).For example, in one embodiment, the “real-time” report can include suchinformation as the differential in a particular power parameter (i.e.,current, voltage, etc.) between the real-time measurements and thevirtual output data.

FIG. 7 is an illustration of a flowchart describing a method formanaging real-time updates to a virtual system model of a monitoredsystem, in accordance with one embodiment. Method 700 begins withoperation 702 where real-time data output from a sensor interfaced withthe monitored system is received. The sensor is configured to captureoutput data at split-second intervals to effectuate “real time” datacapture. For example, in one embodiment, the sensor is configured togenerate hundreds of thousands of data readings per second. It should beappreciated, however, that the number of data output readings taken bythe sensor may be set to any value as long as the operational limits ofthe sensor and the data processing capabilities of the data acquisitionhub are not exceeded.

Method 700 moves to operation 704 where the real-time data is processedinto a defined format. This would be a format that can be utilized bythe analytics server to analyze or compare the data with the simulateddata output from the virtual system model. In one embodiment, the datais converted from an analog signal to a digital signal. In anotherembodiment, the data is converted from a digital signal to an analogsignal. It should be understood, however, that the real-time data may beprocessed into any defined format as long as the analytics engine canutilize the resulting data in a comparison with simulated output datafrom a virtual system model of the monitored system.

Method 700 continues on to operation 706 where the predicted (i.e.,simulated) data for the monitored system is generated using a virtualsystem model of the monitored system. As discussed above, a virtualsystem modeling engine utilizes dynamic control logic stored in thevirtual system model to generate the predicted output data. Thepredicted data is supposed to be representative of data that shouldactually be generated and output from the monitored system.

Method 700 proceeds to operation 708 where a determination is made as towhether the difference between the real-time data output and thepredicted system data falls between a set value and an alarm conditionvalue, where if the difference falls between the set value and the alarmcondition value a virtual system model calibration and a response can begenerated. That is, if the comparison indicates that the differentialbetween the “real-time” sensor output value and the corresponding“virtual” model data output value exceeds a Defined Difference Tolerance(DDT) value (i.e., the “real-time” output values of the sensor output donot indicate an alarm condition) but below an alarm condition (i.e.,alarm threshold value), a response can be generated by the analyticsengine. In one embodiment, if the differential exceeds, the alarmcondition, an alarm or notification message is generated by theanalytics engine 118. In another embodiment, if the differential isbelow the DTT value, the analytics engine does nothing and continues tomonitor the “real-time” data and “virtual” data. Generally speaking, thecomparison of the set value and alarm condition is indicative of thefunctionality of one or more components of the monitored system.

FIG. 8 is an illustration of a flowchart describing a method forsynchronizing real-time system data with a virtual system model of amonitored system, in accordance with one embodiment. Method 800 beginswith operation 802 where a virtual system model calibration request isreceived. A virtual model calibration request can be generated by ananalytics engine whenever the difference between the real-time dataoutput and the predicted system data falls between a set value and analarm condition value.

Method 800 proceeds to operation 804 where the predicted system outputvalue for the virtual system model is updated with a real-time outputvalue for the monitored system. For example, if sensors interfaced withthe monitored system outputs a real-time current value of A, then thepredicted system output value for the virtual system model is adjustedto reflect a predicted current value of A.

Method 800 moves on to operation 806 where a difference between thereal-time sensor value measurement from a sensor integrated with themonitored system and a predicted sensor value for the sensor isdetermined. As discussed above, the analytics engine is configured toreceive “real-time” data from sensors interfaced with the monitoredsystem via the data acquisition hub (or, alternatively directly from thesensors) and “virtual” data from the virtual system modeling enginesimulating the data output from a virtual system model of the monitoredsystem. In one embodiment, the values are in units of electrical poweroutput (i.e., current or voltage) from an electrical power generation ortransmission system. It should be appreciated, however, that the valuescan essentially be any unit type as long as the sensors can beconfigured to output data in those units or the analytics engine canconvert the output data received from the sensors into the desired unittype before performing the comparison.

Method 800 continues on to operation 808 where the operating parametersof the virtual system model are adjusted to minimize the difference.This means that the logic parameters of the virtual system model that avirtual system modeling engine uses to simulate the data output fromactual sensors interfaced with the monitored system are adjusted so thatthe difference between the real-time data output and the simulated dataoutput is minimized. Correspondingly, this operation will update andadjust any virtual system model output parameters that are functions ofthe virtual system model sensor values. For example, in a powerdistribution environment, output parameters of power load or demandfactor might be a function of multiple sensor data values. The operatingparameters of the virtual system model that mimic the operation of thesensor will be adjusted to reflect the real-time data received fromthose sensors. In one embodiment, authorization from a systemadministrator is requested prior to the operating parameters of thevirtual system model being adjusted. This is to ensure that the systemadministrator is aware of the changes that are being made to the virtualsystem model. In one embodiment, after the completion of all the variouscalibration operations, a report is generated to provide a summary ofall the adjustments that have been made to the virtual system model.

As described above, virtual system modeling engine 124 can be configuredto model various aspects of the system to produce predicted values forthe operation of various components within monitored system 102. Thesepredicted values can be compared to actual values being received viadata acquisition hub 112. If the differences are greater than a certainthreshold, e.g., the DTT, but not in an alarm condition, then acalibration instruction can be generated. The calibration instructioncan cause a calibration engine 134 to update the virtual model beingused by system modeling engine 124 to reflect the new operatinginformation.

It will be understood that as monitored system 102 ages, or morespecifically the components comprising monitored system 102 age, thenthe operating parameters, e.g., currents and voltages associated withthose components will also change. Thus, the process of calibrating thevirtual model based on the actual operating information provides amechanism by which the virtual model can be aged along with themonitored system 102 so that the comparisons being generated byanalytics engine 118 are more meaningful.

At a high level, this process can be illustrated with the aid of FIG. 9,which is a flow chart illustrating an example method for updating thevirtual model in accordance with one embodiment. In step 902, data iscollected from, e.g., sensors 104, 106, and 108. For example, thesensors can be configured to monitor protective devices within anelectrical distribution system to determine and monitor the ability ofthe protective devices to withstand faults, which is describe in moredetail below.

In step 904, the data from the various sensors can be processed byanalytics engine 118 in order to evaluate various parameters related tomonitored system 102. In step 905, simulation engine 124 can beconfigured to generate predicted values for monitored system 102 using avirtual model of the system that can be compared to the parametersgenerated by analytics engine 118 in step 904. If there are differencesbetween the actual values and the predicted values, then the virtualmodel can be updated to ensure that the virtual model ages with theactual system 102.

It should be noted that as the monitored system 102 ages, variouscomponents can be repaired, replaced, or upgraded, which can also createdifferences between the simulated and actual data that is not an alarmcondition. Such activity can also lead to calibrations of the virtualmodel to ensure that the virtual model produces relevant predictedvalues. Thus, not only can the virtual model be updated to reflect agingof monitored system 102, but it can also be updated to reflectretrofits, repairs, etc.

As noted above, in certain embodiments, a logical model of a facilitieselectrical system, a data acquisition system (data acquisition hub 112),and power system simulation engines (modeling engine 124) can beintegrated with a logic and methods based approach to the adjustment ofkey database parameters within a virtual model of the electrical systemto evaluate the ability of protective devices within the electricaldistribution system to withstand faults and also effectively “age” thevirtual system with the actual system.

Only through such a process can predictions on the withstand abilitiesof protective devices, and the status, security and health of anelectrical system be accurately calculated. Accuracy is important as thepredictions can be used to arrive at actionable, mission critical orbusiness critical conclusions that may lead to the re-alignment of theelectrical distribution system for optimized performance or security.

FIGS. 10-12 are flow charts presenting logical flows for determining theability of protective devices within an electrical distribution systemto withstand faults and also effectively “age” the virtual system withthe actual system in accordance with one embodiment. FIG. 10 is adiagram illustrating an example process for monitoring the status ofprotective devices in a monitored system 102 and updating a virtualmodel based on monitored data. First, in step 1002, the status of theprotective devices can be monitored in real time. As mentioned,protective devices can include fuses, switches, relays, and circuitbreakers. Accordingly, the status of the fuses/switches, relays, and/orcircuit breakers, e.g., the open/close status, source and load status,and on or off status, can be monitored in step 1002. It can bedetermined, in step 1004, if there is any change in the status of themonitored devices. If there is a change, then in step 1006, the virtualmodel can be updated to reflect the status change, i.e., thecorresponding virtual components data can be updated to reflect theactual status of the various protective devices.

In step 1008, predicted values for the various components of monitoredsystem 102 can be generated. But it should be noted that these valuesare based on the current, real-time status of the monitored system. Instep 1010, it can be determined which predicted voltages are for avalue, such as a value for a node or load, which can be calibrated. Atthe same time, real time sensor data can be received in step 1012. Thisreal time data can be used to monitor the status in step 1002 and it canalso be compared with the predicted values in step 1014. As noted above,the difference between the predicted values and the real time data canalso be determined in step 1014.

Accordingly, meaningful predicted values based on the actual conditionof monitored system 102 can be generated in steps 1004 to 1010. Thesepredicted values can then be used to determine if further action shouldbe taken based on the comparison of step 1014. For example, if it isdetermined in step 1016 that the difference between the predicted valuesand the real time sensor data is less than or equal to a certainthreshold, e.g., DTT, then no action can be taken e.g., an instructionnot to perform calibration can be issued in step 1018. Alternatively, ifit is determined in step 1020 that the real time data is actuallyindicative of an alarm situation, e.g., is above an alarm threshold,then a do not calibrate instruction can be generated in step 1018 and analarm can be generated as described above. If the real time sensor datais not indicative of an alarm condition, and the difference between thereal time sensor data and the predicted values is greater than thethreshold, as determined in step 1022, then an initiate calibrationcommand can be generated in step 1024.

If an initiate calibration command is issued in step 1024, then afunction call to calibration engine 134 can be generated in step 1026.The function call will cause calibration engine 134 to update thevirtual model in step 1028 based on the real time sensor data. Acomparison between the real time data and predicted data can then begenerated in step 1030 and the differences between the two computed. Instep 1032, a user can be prompted as to whether or not the virtual modelshould in fact be updated. In other embodiments, the update can beautomatic, and step 1032 can be skipped. In step 1034, the virtual modelcould be updated. For example, the virtual model loads, buses, demandfactor, and/or percent running information can be updated based on theinformation obtained in step 1030. An initiate simulation instructioncan then be generated in step 1036, which can cause new predicted valuesto be generated based on the update of virtual model.

In this manner, the predicted values generated in step 1008 are not onlyupdated to reflect the actual operational status of monitored system102, but they are also updated to reflect natural changes in monitoredsystem 102 such as aging. Accordingly, realistic predicted values can begenerated in step 1008.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating an example process for determiningthe protective capabilities of the protective devices being monitored instep 1002. Depending on the embodiment, the protective devices can beevaluated in terms of the International Electrotechnical Commission(IEC) standards or in accordance with the United States or AmericanNational Standards Institute (ANSI) standards. It will be understood,that the process described in relation to FIG. 11 is not dependent on aparticular standard being used.

First, in step 1102, a short circuit analysis can be performed for theprotective device. Again, the protective device can be any one of avariety of protective device types. For example, the protective devicecan be a fuse or a switch, or some type of circuit breaker. It will beunderstood that there are various types of circuit breakers includingLow Voltage Circuit Breakers (LVCBs), High Voltage Circuit Breakers(HVCBs), Mid Voltage Circuit Breakers (MVCBs), Miniature CircuitBreakers (MCBs), Molded Case Circuit Breakers (MCCBs), Vacuum CircuitBreakers, and Air Circuit Breakers, to name just a few. Any one of thesevarious types of protective devices can be monitored and evaluated usingthe processes illustrated with respect to FIGS. 10-12.

For example, for LVCBs, or MCCBs, the short circuit current, symmetric(I_(sym)) or asymmetric (I_(asym)), and/or the peak current (I_(peak))can be determined in step 1102. For, e.g., LVCBs that are notinstantaneous trip circuit breakers, the short circuit current at adelayed time (I_(symdelay)) can be determined. For HVCBs, a first cycleshort circuit current (I_(sym)) and/or I_(peak) can be determined instep 1102. For fuses or switches, the short circuit current, symmetricor asymmetric, can be determined in step 1102. And for MVCBs the shortcircuit current interrupting time can be calculated. These are just someexamples of the types of short circuit analysis that can be performed inStep 1102 depending on the type of protective device being analyzed.

Once the short circuit analysis is performed in step 1102, various stepscan be carried out in order to determine the bracing capability of theprotective device. For example, if the protective device is a fuse orswitch, then the steps on the left hand side of FIG. 11 can be carriedout. In this case, the fuse rating can first be determined in step 1104.In this case, the fuse rating can be the current rating for the fuse.For certain fuses, the X/R can be calculated in step 1105 and theasymmetric short circuit current (I_(asym)) for the fuse can bedetermined in step 1106 using equation 1.

I _(ASYM) =I _(SYM)√{square root over (1+2e ^(−2P(X/R)))}  Eq 1

In other implementations, the inductants/reactants (X/R) ratio can becalculated in step 1108 and compared to a fuse test X/R to determine ifthe calculated X/R is greater than the fuse test X/R. The calculated X/Rcan be determined using the predicted values provided in step 1008.Various standard tests X/R values can be used for the fuse test X/Rvalues in step 1108. For example, standard test X/R values for a LVCBcan be as follows:

PCB,ICCB=8.59

MCCB,ICCB rated<=10,000A=1.73

MCCB,ICCB rated 10,001-20,000A=3.18

MCCB,ICCB rated>20,000A=4.9

If the calculated X/R is greater than the fuse test X/R, then in step1112, equation 12 can be used to calculate an adjusted symmetrical shortcircuit current (I_(adjsym)).

$\begin{matrix}{I_{AINSYM} = {I_{SYM}\left\{ \frac{\sqrt{1 + {2^{{- 2}\; p\text{/}{({{CALC}\; X\text{/}R})}}}}}{\sqrt{1 + {2^{{- 2}p\text{/}{({{TEST}\; X\text{/}R})}}}}} \right\}}} & {{Eq}\mspace{14mu} 12}\end{matrix}$

If the calculated X/R is not greater than the fuse test X/R thenI_(adjsym) can be set equal to I_(sym) in step 1110. In step 1114, itcan then be determined if the fuse rating (step 1104) is greater than orequal to I_(adjsym) or I_(asym). If it is, then it can determine in step1118 that the protected device has passed and the percent rating can becalculated in step 1120 as follows:

${\% \mspace{14mu} {rating}} = \frac{I_{ADISYM}}{{Device}\mspace{14mu} {rating}}$or${\% \mspace{14mu} {rating}} = \frac{I_{ASYM}}{{Device}\mspace{14mu} {rating}}$

If it is determined in step 1114 that the device rating is not greaterthan or equal to I_(adjsym), then it can be determined that the deviceas failed in step 1116. The percent rating can still be calculating instep 1120.

For LVCBs, it can first be determined whether they are fused in step1122. If it is determined that the LVCB is not fused, then in step 1124can be determined if the LVCB is an instantaneous trip LVCB. If it isdetermined that the LVCB is an instantaneous trip LVCB, then in step1130 the first cycle fault X/R can be calculated and compared to acircuit breaker test X/R (see example values above) to determine if thefault X/R is greater than the circuit breaker test X/R. If the fault X/Ris not greater than the circuit breaker test X/R, then in step 1132 itcan be determined if the LVCB is peak rated. If it is peak rated, thenI_(peak) can be used in step 1146 below. If it is determined that theLVCB is not peak rated in step 1132, then I_(adjsym) can be set equal toI_(sym) in step 1140. In step 1146, it can be determined if the devicerating is greater or equal to I_(adjsym), or to I_(peak) as appropriate,for the LVCB.

If it is determined that the device rating is greater than or equal toI_(adjsym), then it can be determined that the LVCB has passed in step1148. The percent rating can then be determined using the equations forI_(adjsym) defined above (step 1120) in step 1152. If it is determinedthat the device rating is not greater than or equal to I_(adjisym), thenit can be determined that the device has failed in step 1150. Thepercent rating can still be calculated in step 1152.

If the calculated fault X/R is greater than the circuit breaker test X/Ras determined in step 1130, then it can be determined if the LVCB ispeak rated in step 1134. If the LVCB is not peak rated, then theI_(adjsym) can be determined using equation 12. If the LVCB is not peakrated, then I_(peak) can be determined using equation 11.

I _(PEAK)=√{square root over (2 )}I _(SYM){1.02+0.98e ^(−3/(X/R)})  Eq11

It can then be determined if the device rating is greater than or equalto I_(adjsym) or I_(peak) as appropriate. The pass/fail determinationscan then be made in steps 1148 and 1150 respectively, and the percentrating can be calculated in step 1152.

${\% \mspace{14mu} {rating}} = \frac{I_{ADISYM}}{{Device}\mspace{14mu} {rating}}$or${\% \mspace{14mu} {rating}} = \frac{I_{PEAK}}{{Device}\mspace{14mu} {rating}}$

If the LVCB is not an instantaneous trip LVCB as determined in step1124, then a time delay calculation can be performed at step 1128followed by calculation of the fault X/R and a determination of whetherthe fault X/R is greater than the circuit breaker test X/R. If it isnot, then I_(adjsym) can be set equal to I_(sym) in step 1136. If thecalculated fault at X/R is greater than the circuit breaker test X/R,then I_(adjsymdelay) can be calculated in step 1138 using the followingequation with, e.g., a 0.5 second maximum delay:

$\begin{matrix}{\underset{DELAY}{I_{ADJSYM}} = {\underset{DELAY}{I_{SYM}}\left\{ \frac{\sqrt{1 + {2^{{- 60}p\text{/}{({{CALC}\; X\text{/}R})}}}}}{\sqrt{1 + {2\; ^{{- 60}\; p\text{/}{({{TEST}\; X\text{/}R})}}}}} \right\}}} & {{Eq}\mspace{14mu} 14}\end{matrix}$

It can then be determined if the device rating is greater than or equalto I_(adjsym) or I_(adjsymdelay). The pass/fail determinations can thenbe made in steps 1148 and 1150, respectively and the percent rating canbe calculated in step 1152.

If it is determined that the LVCB is fused in step 1122, then the faultX/R can be calculated in step 1126 and compared to the circuit breakertest X/R in order to determine if the calculated fault X/R is greaterthan the circuit breaker test X/R. If it is greater, then I_(adjsym) canbe calculated in step 1154 using the following equation:

$\begin{matrix}{I_{ADJSYM} = {I_{SYM}\left\{ \frac{1.02 + {0.98\; ^{{- 3}\text{/}{({{CALC}\; X\text{/}R})}}}}{1.02 + {0.98\; ^{{- 3}\text{/}{({{TEST}\; X\text{/}R})}}}} \right\}}} & {{Eq}\mspace{14mu} 13}\end{matrix}$

If the calculated fault X/R is not greater than the circuit breaker testX/R, then I_(adjsym) can be set equal to I_(sym) in step 1156. It canthen be determined if the device rating is greater than or equal toI_(adjsym) in step 1146. The pass/fail determinations can then becarried out in steps 1148 and 1150 respectively, and the percent ratingcan be determined in step 1152.

FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example process for determining theprotective capabilities of a HVCB. In certain embodiments, the X/R canbe calculated in step 1157 and a peak current (I_(peak)) can bedetermined using equation 11 in step 1158. In step 1162, it can bedetermined whether the HVCB's rating is greater than or equal toI_(peak) as determined in step 1158. If the device rating is greaterthan or equal to I_(peak), then the device has passed in step 1164.Otherwise, the device fails in step 1166. In either case, the percentrating can be determined in step 1168 using the following:

${\% \mspace{14mu} {rating}} = \frac{I_{PEAK}}{{Device}\mspace{14mu} {rating}}$

In other embodiments, an interrupting time calculation can be made instep 1170. In such embodiments, a fault X/R can be calculated and thencan be determined if the fault X/R is greater than or equal to a circuitbreaker test X/R in step 1172. For example, the following circuitbreaker test X/R can be used;

50 HZ Test X/R=13.7

60 HZ Test X/R=16.7

(DC Time constant=0.45 ms)

If the fault X/R is not greater than the circuit breaker test X/R thenI_(adjintsym) can be set equal to I_(sym) in step 1174. If thecalculated fault X/R is greater than the circuit breaker test X/R, thencontact parting time for the circuit breaker can be determined in step1176 and equation 15 can then be used to determine I_(adjintsym) in step1178.

$\begin{matrix}{\underset{SYM}{I_{ADJINT}} = {\underset{SYM}{I_{INT}}\left\{ \frac{\sqrt{1 + {2\; ^{{- 4}\; {pf}^{*}t\text{/}{({{CALC}\; X\text{/}R})}}}}}{\sqrt{1 + {2\; ^{{- 4}\; {pf}^{*}t\text{/}{({{TEST}\; X\text{/}R})}}}}} \right\}}} & {{Eq}\mspace{14mu} 15}\end{matrix}$

In step 1180, it can be determined whether the device rating is greaterthan or equal to I_(adjintsym). The pass/fail determinations can then bemade in steps 1182 and 1184 respectively and the percent rating can becalculated in step 1186 using the following:

${\% \mspace{14mu} {rating}} = \frac{I_{ADJINTSYM}}{{Device}\mspace{14mu} {rating}}$

FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating an example process for determiningthe protective capabilities of the protective devices being monitored instep 1002 in accordance with another embodiment. The process can startwith a short circuit analysis in step 1302. For systems operating at afrequency other than 60 hz, the protective device X/R can be modified asfollows:

(X/R)mod=(X/R)*60 H/(system Hz).

For fuses/switches, a selection can be made, as appropriate, between useof the symmetrical rating or asymmetrical rating for the device. TheMultiplying Factor (MF) for the device can then be calculated in step1304. The MF can then be used to determine I_(adjasym) or I_(adjsym). Instep 1306, it can be determined if the device rating is greater than orequal to I_(adjasym) or I_(adjsym). Based on this determination, it canbe determined whether the device passed or failed in steps 1308 and 1310respectively, and the percent rating can be determined in step 1312using the following:

% rating=I _(adjasym)*100/device rating;

or

% rating=I _(adjsym)*100/device rating.

For LVCBs, it can first be determined whether the device is fused instep 1314. If the device is not fused, then in step 1315 it can bedetermined whether the X/R is known for the device. If it is known, thenthe LVF can be calculated for the device in step 1320. It should benoted that the LVF can vary depending on whether the LVCB is aninstantaneous trip device or not. If the X/R is not known, then it canbe determined in step 1317, e.g., using the following:

The X/R is equal to:

PCB,ICCB=6.59

MCCB,ICCB rated<=10,000 A=1.73

MCCB,ICCB rated 10,001-20,000 A=3.18

MCCB,ICCB rated>20,000 A=4.9

If the device is fused, then in step 1316 it can again be determinedwhether the X/R is known. If it is known, then the LVF can be calculatedin step 1319. If it is not known, then the X/R can be set equal to,e.g., 4.9. In step 1321, it can be determined if the LVF is less than 1and if it is, then the LVF can be set equal to 1. In step 1322I_(intadj) can be determined using the following:

MCCB/ICCB/PCB With Instantaneous:

lint,adj=LVF*Isym,rms

PCB Without Instantaneous:

lint,adj=LVFp*Isym,rms(1/2Cyo)

Int, adj=LVFasym*Isym, rms(3-8 Cyo)

In step 1323, it can be determined whether the device's symmetricalrating is greater than or equal to I_(intadj), and it can be determinedbased on this evaluation whether the device passed or failed in steps1324 and 1325 respectively. The percent rating can then be determined instep 1326 using the following:

% rating=I _(intadj)*100/device rating.

FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating a process for evaluating the withstandcapabilities of a MVCB in accordance with one embodiment. In step 1328,a determination can be made as to whether the following calculationswill be based on all remote inputs, all local inputs or on a No AC Decay(NACD) ratio. For certain implementations, a calculation can then bemade of the total remote contribution, total local contribution, totalcontribution (I_(intrmssym)), and NACD. If the calculated NACD is equalto zero, then it can be determined that all contributions are local. IfNACD is equal to 1, then it can be determined that all contributions areremote.

If all the contributions are remote, then in step 1332 the remote MF(MFr) can be calculated and I_(int) can be calculated using thefollowing:

I _(int) =MF r*I _(intrmssym).

If all the inputs are local, then MF1can be calculated and I_(int) canbe calculated using the following:

I _(int) =MF1*I _(intrmssym).

If the contributions are from NACD, then the NACD, MFr, MF1, and AMF1can be calculated. If AMF1 is less than 1, then AMF1 can be set equalto 1. I_(int) can then be calculated using the following:

I _(int)AMF1*I _(intrmssym) /S.

In step 1338, the 3-phase device duty cycle can be calculated and thenit can be determined in step 1340, whether the device rating is greaterthan or equal to I_(int). Whether the device passed or failed can thenbe determined in steps 1342 and 1344, respectively. The percent ratingcan be determined in step 1346 using the following:

% rating=I _(int)*100/3p device rating.

In other embodiments, it can be determined, in step 1348, whether theuser has selected a fixed MF. If so, then in certain embodiments thepeak duty (crest) can be determined in step 1349 and MFp can be setequal to 2.7 in step 1354. If a fixed MF has not been selected, then thepeak duty (crest) can be calculated in step 1350 and MFp can becalculated in step 1358. In step 1362, the MFp can be used to calculatethe following:

I _(mompeak) MFp*I _(symrms).

In step 1366, it can be determined if the device peak rating (crest) isgreater than or equal to I_(mompeak). It can then be determined whetherthe device passed or failed in steps 1368 and 1370 respectively, and thepercent rating can be calculated as follows:

% rating=I _(mompeak)*100/device peak(crest)rating.

In other embodiments, if a fixed MF is selected, then a momentary dutycycle (C&L) can be determined in step 1351 and MFm can be set equal to,e.g., 1.6. If a fixed MF has not been selected, then in step 1352 MFmcan be calculated. MFm can then be used to determine the following:

I _(momsym) =MFm*I _(symrms).

It can then be determined in step 1374 whether the device C&L, rmsrating is greater than or equal to I_(momsym). Whether the device passedor failed can then be determined in steps 1376 and 1378 respectively,and the percent rating can be calculated as follows:

% rating=I _(momasym)*100/device C&L, rms rating.

Thus, the above methods provide a mean to determine the withstandcapability of various protective devices, under various conditions andusing various standards, using an aged, up to date virtual model of thesystem being monitored.

The influx of massive sensory data, e.g., provided via sensors 104, 106,and 108, intelligent filtration of this dense stream of data intomanageable and easily understandable knowledge. For example, asmentioned, it is important to be able to assess the real-time ability ofthe power system to provide sufficient generation to satisfy the systemload requirements and to move the generated energy through the system tothe load points. Conventional systems do not make use of an on-line,real-time system snap shot captured by a real-time data acquisitionplatform to perform real time system availability evaluation.

It should also be noted that National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)and the Occupational Safety and Health Association (OSHA) have mandatedthat facilities comply with proper workplace safety standards andconduct arc flash studies in order to determine the incident energy,protection boundaries and personal protective equipment (PPE) levelsrequired to be worn by technicians. Unfortunately, conventionalapproaches for performing such studies do not provide a reliable meansfor the real-time prediction of the potential energy released (incalories per centimeter squared) for an arc flash event, protectionboundaries, or the PPE level required to safely perform repairs asrequired by NFPA 70E and Institute of Electrical and Electrics Engineers(IEEE) 1584.

When a fault in the system being monitored contains an arc, the heatreleased can damage equipment and cause personal injury. It is thelatter concern that brought about the development of the heat exposureprograms (i.e., NFPA 70E, IEEE 1584) referred to above. The powerdissipated in the arc radiates to the surrounding surfaces. The furtheraway from the arc the surface is, the less the energy is received perunit area.

As noted previously, conventional approaches are based on highlyspecialized static simulation models that are rigid and non-reflectiveof the facility's operational status at the time that a technician maybe needed to conduct repairs on the electrical equipment. For example,static systems cannot adjust to the many daily changes to the electricalsystem that occur at a facility (e.g., motors and pumps may be on oroff, on-site generation status may have changed by having dieselgenerators on-line, utility electrical feed may also change, etc.), norcan they age with the facility. That is, the incident energy released isaffected by the actual operational status of the facility and alignmentof the power distribution system at the time that the repairs areperformed. Therefore, a static model cannot provide the real-timeanalysis that can be critical for accurate safe protection boundary orPPE level determination.

Moreover, existing systems rely on exhaustive studies to be performedoff-line by a power system engineer or a design professional/specialist.Often the specialist must manually modify a simulation model so that itis reflective of the proposed facility operating condition and thenconduct a static simulation or a series of static simulations in orderto come up with incident energy estimates for determining safe workingdistances and required PPE levels. Such a process is not timely,efficient, and/or accurate. Plus, the process can be quite costly.

Using the systems and methods described herein, a logical model of afacility electrical system can be integrated into a real-timeenvironment with a robust Arc Flash Simulation Engine, a dataacquisition system (data acquisition hub), and an automatic feedbacksystem (analytics engine) that continuously synchronizes and calibratesthe logical model to the actual operational conditions of the electricalsystem. The ability to re-align the logical model in real-time so thatit mirrors the real facility operating conditions, coupled with theability to calibrate and age the model as the real facility ages, asdescribe above, provides a desirable approach to predicting PPE levels,and safe working conditions at the exact time the repairs are intendedto be performed. Accordingly, facility management can provide real-timecompliance with NFPA 70E and IEEE 1584 standards and requirements.

FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating how the Arc Flash Simulation Engineworks in conjunction with the other elements of the analytics system tomake predictions about various aspects of an arc flash event on anelectrical system, in accordance with one embodiment. As depictedherein, the Arc Flash Simulation Engine 1502 is housed within ananalytics server 116 and communicatively connected via a networkconnection 114 with a data acquisition hub 112, a client terminal 128and a virtual system model database 526. The virtual system modeldatabase 526 is configured to store a virtual system model of theelectrical system 102. The virtual system model is constantly updatedwith real-time data from the data acquisition hub 112 to effectivelyaccount for the natural aging effects of the hardware that comprise thetotal electrical system 102, thus, mirroring the real operatingconditions of the system.

The Arc Flash Simulation Engine 1502 is configured to process systemdata from real-time data fed from the hub 112 and predicted data outputfrom a real-time virtual system model of the electrical system 102 tomake predictions about various aspects of an arc flash event that occurson the electrical system 102. It should be appreciated that the ArcFlash Simulation Engine 1502 is further configured to make predictionsabout both alternating current (AC) and direct current (DC) arc flashevents.

The data acquisition hub 112 is communicatively connected via dataconnections 110 to a plurality of sensors that are embedded throughoutthe electrical system 102. The data acquisition hub 112 may be astandalone unit or integrated within the analytics server 116 and can beembodied as a piece of hardware, software, or some combination thereofIn one embodiment, the data connections 110 are “hard wired” physicaldata connections (e.g., serial, network, etc.). For example, a serial orparallel cable connection between the sensors and the hub 112. Inanother embodiment, the data connections 110 are wireless dataconnections. For example, a radio frequency (RF), BLUETOOTH™, infraredor equivalent connection between the sensor and the hub 112.

Continuing with FIG. 15, the client 128 is typically a conventional“thin-client” or “thick client” computing device that may utilize avariety of network interfaces (e.g., web browser, CITRIX™, WINDOWSTERMINAL SERVICES™, telnet, or other equivalent thin-client terminalapplications, etc.) to access, configure, and modify the sensors (e.g.,configuration files, etc.), analytics engine (e.g., configuration files,analytics logic, etc.), calibration parameters (e.g., configurationfiles, calibration parameters, etc.), Arc Flash Simulation Engine (e.g.,configuration files, simulation parameters, etc.) and virtual systemmodel of the electrical system 102 under management (e.g., virtualsystem model operating parameters and configuration files).Correspondingly, in one embodiment, the data from the various componentsof the electrical system 102 and the real-time predictions (forecasts)about the various aspects of an arc flash event on the system can becommunicated on a client 128 display panel for viewing by a systemadministrator or equivalent. For example, the aspects may becommunicated by way of graphics (i.e., charts, icons, etc.) or textdisplayed on the client 128 display panel. In another embodiment, theaspects may be communicated by way of synthesized speech or soundsgenerated by the client 128 terminal. In still another embodiment, theaspects may be summarized and communicated on a hard copy report 1502generated by a printing device interfaced with the client 128 terminal.In yet still another embodiment, the aspects may be communicated by wayof labels generated by a printing device interfaced with the client 128terminal. It should be understood, however, that there are a myriad ofdifferent methods available to communicate the aspects to a user andthat the methods listed above are provided here by way of example only.

As discussed above, the Arc Flash Simulation Engine 1502 is configuredto work in conjunction with a real-time updated virtual system model ofthe electrical system 102 to make predictions (forecasts) about certainaspects of an AC or DC arc flash event that occurs on the electricalsystem 102. For example, in one embodiment, the Arc Flash SimulationEngine 1502 can be used to make predictions about the incident energyreleased on the electrical system 102 during the arc flash event.Examples of protective devices include but are not limited to switches,molded case circuits (MCCs), circuit breakers, fuses, relays, etc.

In order to calculate the incident energy released during an arc flashevent, data must be collected about the facility's electrical system102. This data is provided by a virtual system model of the electricalsystem 102 stored on the virtual system model database 526communicatively linked to the Arc Flash Simulation Engine 1502. Asdiscussed above, the virtual system model is continuously updated withreal-time data provided by a plurality of sensors interfaced to theelectrical system 102 and communicatively linked to the data acquisitionhub 112. In one embodiment, this data includes the arrangement ofcomponents on a one-line drawing with nameplate specifications for everydevice comprising the electrical system. Also included are details ofthe lengths and cross section area of all cables. Once the data has beencollected, a short circuit analysis followed by a coordination study isperformed by the Arc Flash Simulation Engine 1502 (NOTE: Since the NFPA70E and IEEE 1584 standards do not directly apply to DC arc faults, a DCfault short circuit study is performed during simulations of DC arcflash events instead of the standard 3-phase fault short circuit studyfor AC arc flash events). The resultant data is then fed into theequations supplied by the NFPA 70E standard, IEEE Standard 1584, orequivalent standard. These equations will calculate the incident energyreleased by the arc flash event to determine the necessary flashprotection boundary distances and minimum PPE level requirements.

In another embodiment, the aspect relates to a level of requiredpersonal protective equipment (PPE) for personnel operating within theconfines of the system during the arc flash event. For example, Table Ais a NFPA 70E tabular summary of the required PPE level (i.e., PPECategory) for each given quantity of incident energy released by the arcflash event.

TABLE A Category Cal/cm² Clothing 0 1.2 Untreated Cotton 1 4 Flameretardant (FR) shirt and FR pants 2 8 Cotton underwear, FR shirt and FRpants 3 25 Cotton underwear, FR shirt, FR pants and FR coveralls 4 40Cotton underwear, FR shirt, FR pants, and double layer switching coatand pants

In still another embodiment, the aspect relates to a minimum arc flashprotection boundary around protective devices on the electrical system102 during an arc flash event. That is, the minimum distance personnelmust maintain away from protective devices that are subject to arc flashevents. These minimum protection boundaries may be communicated viaprinted on labels that are affixed to the protective devices as awarning for personnel working in the vicinity of the devices.

FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating an example process for predicting, inreal-time, various aspects associated with an AC or DC arc flashincident, in accordance with one embodiment. These aspects can includefor example, the arc flash incident energy, arc flash protectionboundary, and required Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) levels (incompliance with NFPA-70E and IEEE-1584 standards) for personnel workingin the vicinity of protective devices that are susceptible to arc flashevents. First, in step 1602, updated virtual system model data can beobtained for the system being simulated, e.g., the updated data of step1006, and the operating modes for the various components that comprisethe system can be determined. This includes data that will later be usedin system short circuit and/or protective device studies and systemschematic diagrams in the form of one-line drawings. Examples of thetypes of data that are provided by the virtual system model for a DCanalysis are summarized below in Table B. Examples of the types of datathat are provided by the virtual system model for an AC analysis aresummarized below in Table C. It should be appreciated that the datasummarized in Tables B and C are provided herein by example only and isnot intended to limit the types of data stored by and extracted from thevirtual system model.

TABLE B Short Circuit Protective Device Study Data System Diagrams StudyGenerator data One-line drawings Low Voltage Breaker Motor data Systemblueprints trip settings Reactor data Fuse type and size Breaker dataFuse data Cable data Battery data

TABLE C Short Circuit Protective Device Study Data System Diagrams StudyCable/Transmission One-line drawings Low Voltage Breaker line dataSystem blueprints trip settings Motor data Fuse type and sizeTransformer data CT Ratios Utility data Relay Types/Settings Generatordata Reactor data Breaker data Fuse data

In step 1604, a short circuit analysis (3-phase fault for AC arc faultsimulations and 1-phase fault for DC arc flash simulations) can beperformed in order to obtain bolted fault current values for the system.The short-circuit study is based on a review of one-line drawingprovided by the virtual system model of the system. Maximum availablebolted fault current is calculated for each point in the system that issusceptible to an arc flash event. Typically, the arc flash vulnerablepoints are the protective devices that are integrated to the electricalsystem. In step 1606, the bolted fault current values are communicatedto the arc flash simulation engine that is configured to makepredictions about certain aspects associated with the arc flash eventsthat occur on the system.

In step 1608, arc flash bus data for certain components (i.e.,protective devices) on the electrical system are communicated to the arcflash simulation engine. Examples of the types of equipment data sentduring this step include, but are not limited to: switchgear data, MCCdata, panel data, cable data, etc. In step 1610, a standardized method(i.e., NFPA 70E, IEEE 1584, etc.) is chosen for the arc flash simulationand incident energy calculation. For example, in one embodiment, asystem administrator may configure the arc flash simulation engine touse either the NFPA 70E or IEEE 1584 standards to simulate the arc flashevent and determine the quantity of incident energy released by the arcflash event. In another embodiment, the arc flash simulation engine isconfigured to simulate the arc flash event and calculate incident energyusing both standards, taking the larger of the resultant incident energynumbers for use in making various predictions about aspects associatedwith the arc flash event. That is, the predicted aspects will always bebased upon the most conservative estimates of the arc flash incidentenergy released.

If the IEEE 1584 method is chosen to simulate the arc flash event andcalculate the incident energy, then the arc flash simulation engineperforms, in step 1612, a protective device study on a specificprotective device, such as a circuit breaker or fuse on the system. Thisstudy determines the operational settings of that protective device andsends that information to the arc flash engine for use in the subsequentarc flash event simulation and incident energy calculations. In step1614, the arc flash engine calculates two different arcing currentvalues, a 100% arcing current value and an 85% arcing current value, forthe system using the bolted fault current value supplied by the shortcircuit study and the system voltage value supplied by the virtualsystem model simulation. This is to account for fluctuations in systemvoltage values that normally occur during the day to day operation ofthe electrical system. To account for the fluctuations two arcingcurrent and incident energy calculations are made; one using thecalculated expected arc current (i.e., 100% arcing current) and oneusing a reduced arc current that is 15% lower (i.e., 85% arcing current)to account for when the system operates at less than 1 kilovolts (kV).In step 1616, the fault clearing times in the protective device can bedetermined using the arcing currents values and protective devicesettings determined in steps 1612 and 1614.

In step 1618, the IEEE 1584 equations can be applied to the faultclearing time (determined in step 1616) and the arcing current values(both the 100% and 85% arcing current values) to predict the incidentenergy released by an arc flash event occurring on the protective deviceduring a 100% arc current scenario (i.e., expected arc current level),and an 85% arc current scenario (i.e., reduced arc current level). The100% and 85% arcing current incident energy values are then comparedagainst each other with the higher of the two being selected for use indetermining certain aspects associated with the arc flash event. Forexample, in one embodiment, the aspect relates to the required PPElevels for personnel. In another embodiment, the aspect relates to thearc flash protection boundary around the protective device.

If the NFPA 70E method is chosen to simulate the arc flash event, thearc flash simulation engine proceeds directly to step 1620 where theincident arcing energy level is calculated by applying the boltedcurrent values determined in step 1604, the fault clearing timedetermined in step 1616, and the system voltage values to equationssupplied by NFPA 70E standard. The calculated incident arc energy levelvalue is then used by the arc flash simulation engine to makepredictions about certain aspects of the arc flash event. For example,in one embodiment, the incident arc energy level is referenced againstTable 130.7(C)(9)(a) of NFPA 70E to predict the required PPE levels forpersonnel operating around the protective device experiencing the arcflash event being simulated. In another embodiment, the safe workingboundary distance is determined using the equation supplied by paragraph130.3(A) of the NFPA.

It should be noted that the NFPA 70E steps may only apply to ACcalculations. As noted above, there are no equations/standards for DCcalculations. Accordingly, in certain embodiments, DC determinations aremade using the IEEE 1584 equations and substituting the single phaseshot circuit analysis in step 1604. In certain embodiments, a similarsubstitution can be made for NFPA 70E DC determinations.

In step 1622, arc flash labels and repair work orders based upon theabove discussed predictions may be generated by the arc flash simulationengine. That is appropriate protective measures, clothing and procedurescan be mobilized to minimize the potential for injury should an arcflash incident occur. Thus allowing facility owners and operators toefficiently implement a real-time safety management system that is incompliance with NFPA 70E and IEEE 1584 guidelines.

In step 1624, the aspects are communicated to the user. In oneembodiment, the aspects are communicated by way of graphics (i.e.,charts, icons, etc.) or text displayed on a client display panel. Inanother embodiment, the aspects are communicated by way of synthesizedspeech or sound generated by the client terminal. In still anotherembodiment, the aspects are summarized and communicated on a hard copyreport generated by a printing device interfaced with the clientterminal. In yet still another embodiment, the aspects are communicatedby way of labels generated by a printing device interfaced with theclient terminal. It should be understood, however, that there are amyriad of different methods available to communicate the aspects to auser and that the methods listed above are provided here by way ofexample only.

Using the same or a similar procedure as illustrated in FIG. 16, thefollowing AC evaluations can be made in real-time and based on anaccurate, e.g., aged, model of the system:

Arc Flash Exposure based on IEEE 1584;

Arc Flash Exposure based on NFPA 70E;

Network-Based Arc Flash Exposure on AC Systems/Single Branch Case;

Network-Based Arc Flash Exposure on AC Systems/Multiple Branch Cases;

Network Arc Flash Exposure on DC Networks;

Exposure Simulation at Switchgear Box, MCC Box, Open Area and CableGrounded and Ungrounded;

Calculate and Select Controlling Branch(s) for Simulation of Arc Flash;

Test Selected Clothing;

Calculate Clothing Required;

Calculate Safe Zone with Regard to User Defined Clothing Category;

Simulated Art Heat Exposure at User Selected locations;

User Defined Fault Cycle for 3-Phase and Controlling Branches;

User Defined Distance for Subject;

100% and 85% Arcing Current;

100% and 85% Protective Device Time;

Protective Device Setting Impact on Arc Exposure Energy;

User Defined Label Sizes;

Attach Labels to One-Line Diagram for User Review;

Plot Energy for Each Bus;

Write Results into Excel;

View and Print Graphic Label for User Selected Bus(s); and

Required work permits.

Using the same or a similar procedure as illustrated in FIG. 16, thefollowing DC evaluations can be made in real-time and based on anaccurate, e.g., aged, model of the system:

DC Arc Flash Exposure

Network-Based Arc Flash Exposure on DC Systems/Single Branch Case

Network-Based Arc Flash Exposure on DC Systems/Multiple Branch Cases

Exposure Simulation at Switchgear Box, MCC Box, Open Area and CableGrounded and Ungrounded

Calculate and Select Controlling Branch(s) for Simulation of DC ArcFlash

Test Selected Clothing

Calculate Clothing Required

Calculate Safe Zone with Regard to User Defined Clothing Category

Simulated DC Art Heat Exposure at User Selected locations

User Defined Fault Cycle for DC and Controlling Branches

User Defined Distance for Subject

100% and 85% Arcing Current

100% and 85% Protective Device Time

Protective Device Setting Impact on DC Arc Exposure Energy

User Defined Label Sizes

Attach Labels to Equipment/Interface/Diagram for User Review

Plot Energy for Each Bus

Write Results into Excel

View and Print Graphic Label for User Selected Bus(s)

Required work permit

Modern uninterrupted power supplies (UPS) have automatic transferswitches (ATS) which transfers electrical power load to a UPS bypassbranch whenever the load become greater than a giver threshold value(such as what occurs during a system short circuit). For example, when ashort circuit occurs on the UPS component, the ATS will automaticallyswitch to a bypass position to protect and isolate the UPS bytransferring the fault to a UPS bypass branch.

When doing off-line electrical power system studies (e.g., power flowanalysis, short circuit simulations, arc flash simulations, etc.),engineers typically make modifications to the electrical power systemitself to create multiple scenarios from which to perform the differentanalyses. For example, when analyzing power flow, UPS is typically keptonline and the ATS is not switched into the bypass position; whenperforming short circuit analysis, UPS is typically taken offline andATS is switched to the bypass position.

When doing virtual electrical power system studies, the analyses andsimulations are performed on the electrical power system “as-is” in thefield. That is, the analyses and simulations are performed using an“as-is” power system simulation model that mimics the systemconfiguration of the electrical power system in its current “as-is”state. Therefore, there is no need for the engineers to create multiplescenarios by making modifications to the electrical power system itself.For example, while performing a power flow simulation using an “as-is”power system simulation model that is indicative of the “as-is” state ofthe power system, the UPS can be in an online state, while the ATS isnot switched to the bypass position (i.e., an open state). When the same“as-is” simulation model is used in arc flash simulation, it presents aproblem. This is because, in a real-life arc flash event, the UPS wouldtypically be switched to an offline state, the ATS would be switched toa bypass condition.

One approach to get around this problem is to manually modifying the“as-is” simulation model of the electrical power system such that theautomatic transfer switch (ATS) of the bypass branch of theuninterrupted power supply (UPS) component is set to a bypass position.After, arc flash analyses and/or simulations are performed using themodified “as-is” simulation model. One challenge with this approach isthat while the arc flash analysis and/or simulation is being performed,the modified “as-is” simulation model is not identical to the systembeing modeled. The arc flash analysis typically lasts for severalseconds. If during that time another analysis (e.g., power flow, etc.)needs to be performed, the modified “as-is” simulation model will not beindicative of the true state of the electrical power system (as it willhave the ATS set to a bypass position), resulting in misleading data tobe generated from the analyses and/or simulations performed using themodified simulation model.

FIGS. 17 and 18 depict line diagrams of the UPS component of anelectrical power system to illustrate the different approaches tosimulate and analyze an arc flash event using a virtual system model ofan electrical power system. As shown FIG. 17 and discussed above, oneway to perform flash analysis is to modify the virtual model system tomanually set the UPS main branch (UPSA-SS1) 1704 to the “open” positionand the UPS bypass branch (UPSA-SS2) 1706 to the “closed” position. Thismodification effectively simulates how the UPS component 1702 of thesystem would react to a short-circuit event. However, as pointed outbefore, this arc flash analysis typically lasts for several seconds. Ifduring that time another analysis (e.g., power flow, etc.) needs to beperformed, the modified virtual system model will no longer berepresentative of the true state of the electrical power system (as itwill have the main UPS branch at an “open” position and the ATS set to a“closed” bypass position), resulting in misleading data to be generatedfrom the analyses and/or simulations performed using the modifiedvirtual system model.

FIG. 18 depicts an alternative and novel approach to simulate andanalyze an arc flash event using a virtual system model of an electricalpower system, in accordance with one embodiment. As depicted herein, thevirtual model system is modified to include a short circuiting source1802 while the UPS main branch (UPSA-SS1) 1704 is left in the “closed”position and the UPS bypass branch (UPSA-SS2) 1706 in the “open”position (which is representative of the “normal” state of the UPScomponent when the electrical power system is functioning normally).This modified virtual model system can then be utilized in various typesof short-circuit and arc flash event simulations and analyses. Since theUPS component is treated as the short-circuit source, when arc flashsimulation is performed, all the short circuit results below the UPScomponent will be the same as if the ATS is in the bypass position(i.e., the UPS bypass branch in a “closed” position). It should beunderstood that the short-circuit readings at the short-circuit bus 1802is a dynamic quantity. It changes when any change is made to the actualsystem and therefore always reflect the actual as-is short circuitcapability of the network.

FIG. 19 is an illustration of a flowchart describing a method for makingreal-time predictions about an arc flash event on an electrical system,in accordance with one embodiment.

Method 1900 begins with operation 1902 where a virtual system model ofthe electrical system is modified to introduce a short-circuit featureto an uninterrupted power supply bypass circuit branch. As discussedabove, the short-circuit feature is added while leaving the UPS mainbranch (UPSA-SS1) in the “closed” position and the UPS bypass branch(UPSA-SS2) in the “open” position (which is representative of the“normal” state of the UPS component when the electrical power system isfunctioning normally).

In operation 1904, a standard is chosen to supply the equations used inthe arc flash event calculations. For example, a system administratormay configure the arc flash simulation engine to use either the NFPA 70Eor IEEE 1584 standards to simulate the arc flash event and determine thenecessary PPE level.

In operations 1906 and 1908, the arc flash event is simulated using themodified virtual system model and the quantity of arc energy released bythe event is calculated using the results of the simulations. If theIEEE 1584 method is chosen to simulate the arc flash event and calculatethe incident energy, then the arc flash simulation engine performs aprotective device study on a specific protective device, such as acircuit breaker or fuse on the system. This study determines theoperational settings of that protective device and sends thatinformation to the arc flash engine for use in the subsequent arc flashevent simulation and incident energy calculations.

In step 1910, a report that forecasts an aspect of the arc flash eventis communicated. That is, the calculated incident arc energy level valuecan be used by the arc flash simulation engine to make predictions aboutcertain aspects of the arc flash event. For example, in one embodiment,the incident arc energy level calculated using the NFPA 70E standard canbe referenced against Table 130.7(C)(9)(a) of NFPA 70E to predict therequired PPE levels for personnel operating around the protective deviceexperiencing the arc flash event being simulated. In another embodiment,the safe working boundary distance is determined using the equationsupplied by paragraph 130.3(A) of the NFPA. It should be understood,however, that these are just several examples of the aspects that can beforecasted by the arc flash simulation engine using the modified virtualsystem model. In practice, virtually any aspect of an arc flash eventcan be predicted as long as the condition(s) that impact the aspect canbe adequately represented by the virtual system model.

In one embodiment, the aspects are communicated by way of graphics(i.e., charts, icons, etc.) or text displayed on a client display panel.In another embodiment, the aspects are communicated by way ofsynthesized speech or sound generated by the client terminal. In stillanother embodiment, the aspects are summarized and communicated on ahard copy report generated by a printing device interfaced with theclient terminal. In yet still another embodiment, the aspects arecommunicated by way of labels generated by a printing device interfacedwith the client terminal. It should be understood, however, that thereare a myriad of different methods available to communicate the aspectsto a user and that the methods listed above are provided here by way ofexample only.

The embodiments described herein, can be practiced with other computersystem configurations including hand-held devices, microprocessorsystems, microprocessor-based or programmable consumer electronics,minicomputers, mainframe computers and the like. The embodiments canalso be practiced in distributing computing environments where tasks areperformed by remote processing devices that are linked through anetwork.

It should also be understood that the embodiments described herein canemploy various computer-implemented operations involving data stored incomputer systems. These operations are those requiring physicalmanipulation of physical quantities. Usually, though not necessarily,these quantities take the form of electrical or magnetic signals capableof being stored, transferred, combined, compared, and otherwisemanipulated. Further, the manipulations performed are often referred toin terms, such as producing, identifying, determining, or comparing.

Any of the operations that form part of the embodiments described hereinare useful machine operations. The invention also relates to a device oran apparatus for performing these operations. The systems and methodsdescribed herein can be specially constructed for the required purposes,such as the carrier network discussed above, or it may be a generalpurpose computer selectively activated or configured by a computerprogram stored in the computer. In particular, various general purposemachines may be used with computer programs written in accordance withthe teachings herein, or it may be more convenient to construct a morespecialized apparatus to perform the required operations.

The embodiments described herein can also be embodied as computerreadable code on a computer readable medium. The computer readablemedium is any data storage device that can store data, which canthereafter be read by a computer system. Examples of the computerreadable medium include hard drives, network attached storage (NAS),read-only memory, random-access memory, CD-ROMs, CD-Rs, CD-RWs, magnetictapes, and other optical and non-optical data storage devices. Thecomputer readable medium can also be distributed over a network coupledcomputer systems so that the computer readable code is stored andexecuted in a distributed fashion.

Certain embodiments can also be embodied as computer readable code on acomputer readable medium. The computer readable medium is any datastorage device that can store data, which can thereafter be read by acomputer system. Examples of the computer readable medium include harddrives, network attached storage (NAS), read-only memory, random-accessmemory, CD-ROMs, CD-Rs, CD-RWs, magnetic tapes, and other optical andnon-optical data storage devices. The computer readable medium can alsobe distributed over a network coupled computer systems so that thecomputer readable code is stored and executed in a distributed fashion.

Although a few embodiments of the present invention have been describedin detail herein, it should be understood, by those of ordinary skill,that the present invention may be embodied in many other specific formswithout departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Therefore,the present examples and embodiments are to be considered asillustrative and not restrictive, and the invention is not to be limitedto the details provided therein, but may be modified and practicedwithin the scope of the appended claims.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A method for making real-time predictionsabout an arc flash event on an electrical system, comprising: updating avirtual system model of the electrical system with real-time data fromthe electrical system; modifying the virtual system model of theelectrical power system to introduce a short-circuit feature to anuninterrupted power supply bypass circuit branch; choosing a standard tosupply equations used for arc flash event simulation; simulating an arcflash event utilizing the modified virtual system model; predicting atleast one aspect of the arc flash event; and communicating a predictionreport for the arc flash event.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein thestandard applied is IEEE
 1584. 3. The method of claim 1, furthercomprising performing a protective device study on a protective device;determining operational settings for the protective device; andcalculating arcing current values.
 4. The method of claim 3, wherein thearcing current values comprise a 100% arcing current value and an 85%arcing current value.
 5. The method of claim 4, further comprisingdetermining a fault clearing time for a 100% arcing current in theprotective device based on the operational settings and the 100% arcingcurrent value; and determining a fault clearing time for a 85% arcingcurrent in the protective device based on the operating settings and the85% arcing current value.
 6. The method of claim 5, further comprisingcalculating a 100% arc energy based the fault clearing time for a 100%arcing current in the protective device and the 100% arcing currentvalue; and calculating a 85% arc energy based on the fault clearing timefor a 85% arcing current in the protective device and the 85% arcingcurrent value.
 7. The method of claim 1, further comprising predicting arequired PPE level and an arc flash protection boundary around theprotective device based on the greater of the 100% arc energy and the85% arc energy.
 8. The method of claim 1, wherein the standard appliedis NFPA 70E.
 9. The method of claim 8, further comprising calculating anarc energy level based on equations supplied by NFPA 70E.
 10. The methodof claim 1, further comprising predicting a required PPE level forpersonnel operating around the protective device and a safe workingboundary distance based on an arc energy level.
 11. A system for makingreal-time predictions about an arc flash event on an electrical system,comprising: an analytics server communicatively connected via a networkconnection with a data acquisition hub and a virtual system modeldatabase; wherein the analytics sever comprises an arc flash simulationengine; wherein the data acquisition hub is operable to acquirereal-time data from the electrical system; wherein the virtual systemmodel database is operable for providing a virtual system model for theelectrical system and continuously update the virtual system model withreal-time data from the electrical system; wherein the arch flashsimulation engine is operable to modify the virtual system model of theelectrical system to introduce a short-circuit feature to anuninterrupted power supply bypass circuit branch; select a standard tosupply equations used for arc flash event simulation; simulate an arcflash event utilizing the modified virtual system model; and predict atleast one aspect of the arc flash event; and communicate a predictionreport for the arc flash event.
 12. The system of claim 11, wherein thestandard applied is IEEE
 1584. 13. The system of claim 11, wherein thearc flash simulation engine is further operable to perform a protectivedevice study on a protective device; determine operational settings forthe protective device; and calculating arcing current values.
 14. Thesystem of claim 13, wherein the arcing current values comprise a 100%arcing current value and an 85% arcing current value.
 15. The system ofclaim 11, wherein the arc flash simulation engine is further operable todetermine a fault clearing time for a 100% arcing current in theprotective device based on operational settings and the 100% arcingcurrent value; and determine a fault clearing time for a 85% arcingcurrent in the protective device based on the operating settings and the85% arcing current value.
 16. The system of claim 15, wherein the arcflash simulation engine is further operable to calculate a 100% arcenergy based the fault clearing time for a 100% arcing current in theprotective device and the 100% arcing current value; and calculate a 85%arc energy based on the fault clearing time for a 85% arcing current inthe protective device and the 85% arcing current value.
 17. The systemof claim 11, wherein the arc flash simulation engine is further operableto predict a minimum PPE level and an arc flash protection boundaryaround the protective device based on the greater of the 100% arc energyand the 85% arc energy.
 18. The system of claim 11, wherein the standardapplied is NFPA 70E.
 19. The system of claim 18, wherein the arc flashsimulation engine is further operable to calculate an arc energy levelbased on equations supplied by NFPA 70E.
 20. The system of claim 11,wherein the arc flash simulation engine is further operable to predict arequired PPE level for personnel operating around the protective deviceand a safe working boundary distance based on an arc energy level.